|
|
|
|
 |
Friday, June 26, 2009
Good and bad signs ahead for construction, economist says
About $135 billion in federal economic-stimulus money is being pumped directly into construction projects. That will do some good for the hard-hit construction industry, but it will take time, an economist for a national construction trade group said in Richmond yesterday. "It is the largest-ever piece of legislation for construction," said Kenneth Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America. But even the so-called "shovel-ready" projects targeted by the stimulus take time to get going, Simonson said at a Richmond Association for Business Economics meeting. Full Story.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Building codes: State council updates rules
HELENA, MT - The state is adopting stricter rules for new home construction, hoping to improve energy efficiency by more than 10 percent. The building industry said the rules go too far and will add several thousand dollars to the cost of building a new home. The Montana Building Codes Council decided Thursday to update the state standards to meet the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. The state had last adopted a new standard in 2003, but had provided some exemptions. Full Story.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Home Builders May Get Tax Help: Unsold Homes May Win a Delay
RALEIGH, NC - State lawmakers are trying to give homebuilders a temporary break from property taxes on unsold homes. The state House on Thursday approved a bill that would allow builders to defer for up to three years the portion of property tax generated by building a new home. The builder would continue to pay tax on the value of the land. The increased property taxes generated by improving the land with a home would have to be paid by the builder when the home is sold or in 2013. The bill would apply only to new homes that have never been occupied. Full Story.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Homebuilders say real estate news isn’t all bad
LAS VEGAS, NV - Two homebuilders active in Las Vegas offered good-news, bad-news scenarios in their second-quarter financial reports. KB Home today said it lost $78.4 million or $1.03 per share in the quarter ended May 31. Revenue of $384.5 million was down 40 percent from the year-earlier quarter as the recession reduced activity at its new-home sales centers. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Local construction industry may take time to rebound
BOZEMAN, MT - It could be another year or two before the building industry in Bozeman begins to rebound from this recession, Eric Roset, chairman of the Southwest Montana Building Industry Association, said Wednesday. The National Association of Home Builders predicts residential construction activity nationwide will hit bottom this year and begin to rebound before the year is over, Roset said at a Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Bozeman lodging, home building facing tough time
BOZEMAN, MT - The economic times are tough and will likely to stay that way through 2009 according to Bozeman city officials and other industry representatives, who have given a mid-year update on the local economy. One sector that's really feeling the pinch is hotels, motels and other lodging. With many consumers tightening their belts, travel is often cut from the family budget and industry experts say that means 2009 will be the worst year in history for U.S. hotels. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
AIA Peconic call to arms to change building code
EAST HAMPTON, NY - Wood-framed houses, popularly known as “stick-built” houses, historically represent the most common residential construction method used on the East End of Long Island, a region that the New York State Building Code designated as a Hurricane Wind Zone. The code, however (to the bafflement of many architects, engineers, builders, and local code officials), is devoid of specific standards for wood frame construction in this zone. Instead, the code references external building industry publications to guide construction professionals on the design and assembly of residences in our area. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Possible change to homebuilding regulations in Grayson Co.
GRAYSON COUNTY, TX - Grayson County commissioners are considering changing requirements when it comes to homebuilding. While the decision is up to commissioners, it could effect the lives of every resident who lives in the county. Half an acre of land for an on-site septic system will be a new concept for Grayson County. With that idea, a 10 acre land could have 20 of these septic tanks. Full Story.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sinkhole protections sought
Pasco County may change building codes
SPRING HILL, FL - Few people can forget the amazing video from a Spring Hill neighborhood last month when a sink hole swallowed an entire house. The kind of damage that destroyed that house is rare, but the reality is most sink holes cause cracks in walls and foundations. Pasco and Hernando counties account for most of the sink hole activity in Florida. Full Story.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Drop in inventory of new for-sale homes an encouraging sign
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - New home inventory in the Triad has fallen by more than one-third since last year, a strong sign the local home building market is stabilizing. The number of newly constructed, but unsold, homes in Alamance, Forsyth and Guilford counties declined to 1,466 in May 2009, compared to the 2,192 available in May 2008, according to data compiled by Nashville-based research firm MarketGraphics Research Group. Full Story.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
On home defect legislation, lobbyists went to the wire
LAS VEGAS, NV - The construction industry had just captured a huge victory, pushing legislation through the state Senate that would limit the ability of homeowners to win settlements against developers for construction defects. Builders needed only a victory in the Assembly to save themselves millions in settlements and legal fees. Full Story.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Homebuilders Association kicks off eco-friendly construction plan
KILLEEN, TX - At its monthly membership meeting July 15, the Central Texas Homebuilders Association will kick off a Green Building Program patterned after one currently effective in Houston, a voluntary effort to improve the eco-friendliness of the construction industry to respond to increasing customer demand and just for the sake of eco-friendliness. Full Story.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Is the I.E.'s new home market slowly rebounding?
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA - The Inland Empire's depressed homebuilding industry could be on the brink of slowly bottoming out. It doesn't mean the broader housing market will stabilize any time soon, but the possibility of builders finally pulling more building permits would be good news for contractors out of work. However, "it's not going to be a major surge of building permits," says Michael Maples, co-principal of Danville-based Trumark Homes, a subsidiary of Trumark Companies development firm, which is starting a project in San Bernardino County. Full Story.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Builders wary of Vail's green plans
The town may require adherence to a new environmental code.
VAIL, CO — Town officials are considering adopting a green building code, but they must first win acceptance for the plan from builders who say cost is one of the biggest hindrances to environmentally friendly construction. Vail's new code could be based on a model code issued by the National Association of Home Builders, which focuses on energy-saving measures, said George Ruther, the town's community-development director. It may be a points-based system that gives builders credit for things like insulating homes well, orienting them to take advantage of solar heating and glazing windows, Ruther said. Full Story.
Saturday, June 20, 2009>
Sullivan County commissioners may vote next month on residential building code
BLOUNTVILLE, TN — The Sullivan County Commission could vote next month on a residential building code, which would require permits, fees and inspections on new homes built in the county. The commission deferred action on the proposal last week after multiple commissioners asked for more information on the issue — and more time to consider it. Full Story.
Saturday, June 20, 2009>
Weathering the economic storm
Energy-efficiency plan aims to lower costs, create jobs
MONTCALM TOWNSHIP, MI - Ron Hall has spent 22 years in the home-building and remodeling business, none of them as bad as 2008. The deterioration of the economy and sagging consumer confidence left the central Michigan housing market and Hall's business at a virtual standstill. In dire need of steady work, the 55-year-old found a lifeline through a federally funded weatherization program boosted by the economic stimulus package. Full Story.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Biloxians in windpool may qualify for 20 percent discount
BILOXI, MS - Biloxi homeowners south of Interstate 10 who get their insurance through the state windpool may qualify for up to a 20 percent credit on their wind insurance premiums, thanks to policy changes and the City of Biloxi's efforts in enforcing building codes. Full Story.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Construction struggles under tight credit market
ST LOUIS, MO - A year ago, those working in the St. Louis-area construction industry were concerned that the retirement of baby boomers could result in a labor shortage. But since then, tight credit markets have stalled and canceled many building projects, leaving the industry awash with idle hands. Full Story.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
New code workshops planned
MADERA COUNTY, CA - With just weeks left before the new green building codes take effect, the county is offering two public presentations it hopes will smooth the transition. The more stringent Energy Efficiency Standards and the new Green Building Code approved in July 2008 will go into practice on Aug. 1. Full Story.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Zeledon incorporates green technology
FALLBROOK, CA — Zeledon Design & Development is incorporating new green technology into its building methods. These green features include mold-resistant lamination, prefabricated engineered beams made from recycled materials and many more that are energy-saving for the client. Full Story.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
New Homebuilder-RSI Development-"Re-Creates the American Dream" and Pioneers New Precision-Built Construction System
Homebuilding, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Leaders Join to Deliver Attainable New Homes at Highest Value in Market
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - RSI Development, a new homebuilding/development company, has launched with the ability to deliver fully-finished and equipped new homes starting at or under $85,000 for a 1,621-square-foot plan and $95,000 for a 1,968-square-foot model, exclusive of land costs, site preparation and building fees. The company’s mission is to provide the highest quality, best priced, fully sustainable new homes for first-time buyers and working families throughout the nation. Full Story.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Signs of a bottom for St. Louis homebuilding. But not there yet.
ST LOUIS, MO - After this news earlier in the week of a 17 percent jump in housing starts and a 4 percent increase in building permits in May, there were hopes that a turnaround is near in the home construction market. But not just yet in St. Louis, where it looks like the best we can say is that things aren’t getting much worse. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Local construction shows signs of life
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Construction in Grand Traverse County showed a pulse in May, and reflected a national trend in which new home-building activity recorded its biggest jump in three months. The county's Construction Code office in May issued permits for 76 new building projects worth an estimated $4.2 million, up more than 50 percent from April's totals. New home construction was up 33 percent. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
New housing construction is shaking off its slumber
ST LOUIS, MO - A better-than-expected rebound in construction last month is the latest sign that the prolonged housing slump may be coming to an end. Construction of new houses and apartments jumped 17.2 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 532,000 units, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. The increase exceeded projections of many economists. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
California Home Building Officials Press to Extend State Tax Credit
Builders say credit has converted many prospects to buyers.
California home building officials believe they have a 50-50 chance of getting the state to extend a $10,000 state tax credit program for new home buyers that they believe is largely responsible for a pick up in sales in April and May. Bob Rivinius, president of the California Building Industry Association, said at PCBC that the association originally intended to push for new budget authority, which would have been a tough sell because the state is running a $23 billion deficit. Instead, the association is supporting efforts that would allow more people to qualify for the credit. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Green building conference set
CHARLESTON, SC - The Sustainability Institute and Charleston Trident Homebuilders Association will host a green building industry conference Friday and Saturday at the Navy Yard at Noisette. The conference will feature 16 educational sessions taught by regionally recognized leaders of the green building industry, two tours of sustainable homes and commercial properties and an expo featuring local green companies. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Chesterfield starts growth-plan process
RICHMOND, VA - Creating Chesterfield County's future will take 18 months, 32 citizen leaders, plenty of public input and a little short of $1 million. Last night, the county's comprehensive plan steering committee -- a mix of environmentalists, homebuilders, homemakers, real estate agents, teachers, developers and even a Richmonder or two -- kicked off the process of developing a long-range guideline for growth. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
KB Home to Use Environmentally Friendly Recyclable Carpet Exclusively in All New Homes
Commitment saves landfill space and furthers KB Home sustainability goals
LOS ANGELES, CA - KB Home, one of America’s largest homebuilders, today announced that it has teamed up with Shaw to offer only environmentally friendly recyclable carpet in all its new homes. These carpets are made of Nylon 6, the only material capable of being continuously recycled into dyeable carpet fiber. Every home that uses recycled carpet fiber saves approximately 108 cubic feet of landfill space and also prevents emissions equivalent to 1,700 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2). Full Story.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Green Building Council luncheon
CAPE CORAL, FL - The Cape Coral Construction Industry Association is forming a Green Building Council to keep its members informed on the trend of green building across the state of Florida. A luncheon to discuss the group will be held Wednesday, June 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the ACRA Electric training room, 842 S.E. 46th Lane, Cape Coral. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Audubon Environmental Project Honored With Environmental Award
RALEIGH, NC - Miles M. (Bud) Smart, Ph.D., president of Audubon Environmental, a sustainability consulting firm that works with landowners, developers and government entities to protect and sustain land, water, wildlife and natural resources, has announced that the Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, was selected by the Puerto Rico Homebuilders Association to receive the Heritage and Sustainable Community of the Year Award for 2008. Full Story.
Monday, June 15, 2009
U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Unexpectedly Fell in June
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders fell unexpectedly in June, indicating that a recovery from the housing slump will be slow to develop. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index of builder confidence decreased to 15 this month from 16 in May, the Washington-based NAHB said today. A reading below 50 means most respondents view conditions as poor. Full Story.
Monday, June 15, 2009
US homebuilders welcome green legislation
New legislation that could lead to cash incentives for green development has been welcomed by the US construction industry.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says the proposed Green Act of 2009, known technically as HR2336, will set new green building and sustainability benchmarks for properties that get financial assistance from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Full Story.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Paint homebuilding green with Styrofoam, aluminum
PENSACOLA, FL - It takes about 65 trees to produce the lumber to build the typical 2,000 square-foot house. But Kelly Moore and his wife, Margaret Hostetter, have designed a home cutting that number to near zero. The East Hill couple's iGreen Construction, Inc., is building a prototype house made almost entirely of aluminum and Styrofoam. Full Story.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
MONTCALM TOWNSHIP, MI — Ron Hall has spent 22 years in the home building and remodeling business, none of them as bad as 2008. The deterioration of the economy and sagging consumer confidence left the central Michigan housing market and the Alma man's business at a virtual standstill. In dire need of steady work, the 55-year-old found a lifeline through a federally funded weatherization program boosted by the economic stimulus package. Full Story.
Saturday, June 13, 2009>
Nevada Energy Star Partners launches new 'Save' campaign
LAS VEGAS, NV - Nevada Energy Star partners -- a voluntary coalition of Southern Nevada homebuilders, developers, retailers, mortgage providers, energy consultants and local utilities -- has launched its 2009 Energy Star campaign with the motto: "Together we save." The annual awareness-building campaign, funded by contributions from partners, is designed to increase Energy Star brand awareness and promote a green lifestyle by demonstrating how easy it is to save resources at home and work. Full Story.
Saturday, June 13, 2009>
Faults and fires
CHARLOTTE, NC - For months, North Carolina homebuilders have been itching to overturn a new building code requirement meant to cut down on electrical fires. The hammer was expected to meet the nail this week, at a meeting of the state Building Code Council. Instead, last-minute intervention by the Governor's Office led to a postponement of the vote until September. No reason was cited, but the effect of putting off a vote is to keep the new electrical safety rule in place -- and that's a good thing. Backing off to save a relatively small sum per new house would be a mistake. Full Story.
Saturday, June 13, 2009>
Build high, lower rates
BILOXI, MS - Changes coming July 1 to the state wind pool will reward communities that have adopted and are enforcing stronger building codes. The wind pool will offer discounts to businesses and homeowners with structures built to stronger standards. Full Story.
Saturday, June 13, 2009>
Lawmakers agree to create statewide building code
NASHVILLE, TN - A proposal to enact a minimum residential building code around Tennessee is headed to the governor for his consideration. The measure, which was pushed by Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, was sent to his desk on Friday after the Senate agreed to changes made by the House. Full Story.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Homebuilders decry TRCC’s demise
DALLAS, TX - The Texas Residential Construction Commission, in place since 2003, has been allowed to sunset by the 81st Legislature, leaving the residential homebuilding industry largely unregulated — and homebuilders scrambling to protect themselves against lawsuits. Full Story.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hycrete Growing Rapidly, Pounding Path to Profitability
The construction industry is about as conservative as they come, but green building materials startup Hycrete has got building contractors giddy about its technology, a chemical that makes concrete waterproof. To take advantage of growing demand, the Carlstadt, N.J.-based startup, which raised $15 million in a third round of venture funding last year, plans to open offices in two more U.S. states (Texas and Illinois) and is looking to expand into Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Full Story.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Village building regulations adopt international codes
RUIDOSO, NM - International building codes covering plumbing, mechanical and electrical work were adopted by reference into Ruidoso's municipal building regulations Tuesday. The village will be handling the full gamut of inspections in the future and the ordinance must be in place to authorize the jurisdiction. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Circuit breaker vote is put off until September
RALEIGH, NC - At the request of the governor's office, a state agency delayed action Tuesday on a change to building codes that could roll back the use of a type of circuit breaker that could help prevent fires. The chairman of the state Building Code Council said he received a call from the governor's office before the meeting Tuesday telling the council not to vote on the change. The council will take up the issue when it meets in September. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Eco-friendly development nominated for awards
PALM SPRINGS, CA - Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes has recently been selected as a Merit Winner nominee in three categories by Homebuilding's Premier Tradeshow and Conference, formerly Pacific Coast Builders Conference, city officials said. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bill would limit cities' rules on fire sprinklers
AUSTIN, TX - A late-session provision that would prohibit municipalities from requiring sprinkler systems in some residences has left Gov. Rick Perry stuck between a brigade of Texas fire chiefs and the campaign dollars of local homebuilders. Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, tacked the amendment on to a plumber licensing bill during the waning days of the session. If Perry signs it, the measure would stop municipalities from requiring sprinkler systems in single- and two-family homes after Jan. 1, 2009, meaning the bill would nullify any ordinances passed this year. Otto originally tried to pass a similar stand-alone bill in early May, but the House never gave it a vote. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Austin homebuilders downsize living-space in down economy
AUSTIN, TX - As lifestyles and the economy downsizes, we’re learning that Austin homebuilders are doing the same. Local developers tell us they’re building smaller, cheaper models than ever before. Bigger has been better for a long time, but Austin homebuilders say not anymore. Arnie Sanders wanted to move into a bigger home with his wife a few years ago. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Va. Beach spot checking construction sites for Chinese drywall
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Virginia Beach council members got a crash course on Chinese drywall. The city’s building codes administrator passed around a piece of three-year-old drywall at Tuesday afternoon's city council briefing. Full Story.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Rochester sees welcome increase in housing permits
ROCHESTER, MN - May was a promising month for the local home-building industry. The number of single-family home permits issued in Rochester rose moderately. Full Story.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Construction spending rose in April
Home construction for Americans 55 and older is expected to drop by nearly half in 2009 compared with the previous year, a sign that the market for home building geared to senior citizens is contracting despite the wave of baby boomers approaching retirement. U.S. construction spending in April totaled $969 billion, which was up 0.8 percent from March, reported Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, in his Data DIGest for last week. However, that total was down 11 percent compared with April 2008. Full Story.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Building designers face challenges as codes change
GALVESTON, TX - If you think that process of building a sandcastle is nothing like building condominiums or a beach resort, you’re right. Sandcastles are built for fun, but the recent implementation of stricter building codes has made building properties along the coast a very serious matter. Full Story.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Abu Dhabi to implement new building code
ABU DHABI - Rashid Mubarak Al Hajeri, chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs in Abu Dhabi, has said that new world-class building codes will be introduced next year to help developers create better places in which to live and work across the emirate. Full Story.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tenn. House Delays Vote on Statewide Building Code
NASHVILLE, TN - The House has delayed a vote on whether to create a statewide residential building code and to set energy efficiency standards for state buildings and vehicles. The delay came after repeated attempts to exempt specific counties from the code requirement. Full Story.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Weatherization program aims to provide jobs, save homeowners money
MONTCALM TOWNSHIP, MI - Ron Hall has spent 22 years in the home building and remodeling business, none of them as bad as 2008. The deterioration of the economy and sagging consumer confidence left the central Michigan housing market and the Alma man's business at a virtual standstill. In dire need of steady work, the 55-year-old found a lifeline through a federally funded weatherization program boosted by the economic stimulus package. Full Story.
Saturday, June 6, 2009>
Pardee clicks into green gear
LAS VEGAS, NV - Pardee Homes is introducing a new standard in home building and home buying that includes designer upgrades, new prices, lower interest rates and green living, according to regional sales director Rob Tuvell. "There has never been a better time to purchase a new Pardee home," he said. Pardee's new standard features designer upgrades that include granite kitchen countertops, beech cabinets and stainless steel kitchen appliances. Full Story.
Saturday, June 6, 2009>
FHBA offers free seminar
The Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and its 27 local associations are conducting a road to Recovery Road Show in 17 cities throughout Florida. During June, FHBA leaders and industry experts will discuss timely topics in a fast-moving educational program. Topics include: new Florida laws impacting businesses; business building strategies; Florida building code; green building; Chinese drywall; and federal stimulus bill opportunities. Full Story.
Saturday, June 6, 2009>
Carbondale ‘green’ center welcomes local nonprofits
CARBONDALE, CO - Carbondale’s 3rd Street Center is off to a good start: It’s leasing more than a third of its available space, generating nearly half of its own energy requirement, and remodeling other parts of the building to comply with building codes. Full Story.
Friday, June 5, 2009
House passes legislation to encourage energy efficiencY
CHATTANOOGA, TN - The House of Representatives considered this week legislation that would require international building codes be met for new home construction. The legislation would not affect every county in the state, as some counties already have more stringent requirements than what is stipulated in the bill. In addition to traditional building codes, the legislation also includes required energy conservation standards that would apply to new home construction. Full Story.
Friday, June 5, 2009
New law praised for ensuring safety on construction sites
LAS VEGAS, NV - Union and construction industry officials on Thursday praised a new law they said aims to create a culture of safety on construction work sites throughout the state. The new bill, signed into law by Gov. Jim Gibbons on Wednesday, requires all construction workers and supervisors to attend health and safety course training within 15 days of being hired. Full Story.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Public hearing is next step for new Hawaii building code
HONOLULU, HI - A new state building code, in the works for approximately two years, could be implemented by the end of this year following a public hearing. The state Building Code Council is awaiting approval from Gov. Linda Lingle to hold a statewide hearing where the public can comment on the plans for the state to go to the 2006 version of the International Building Code, said state Comptroller Russ Saito, a nonvoting member of the council. Full Story.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Homebuilders are seeing an inkling of a recovery
LOS ANGELES, CA — Homebuilders across the country say they are finally seeing signs the three-year housing downturn is ending. This week, both Toll Brothers Inc. and Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. were the latest builders to report smaller quarterly losses, rosier sales trends and more prospective buyers visiting model homes. Toll said Wednesday it has seen an increase in homebuyers putting down deposits during nine of the past 11 weeks, compared with weekly figures from fiscal 2008. Full Story.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Beach mayor excited about new building concept
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — Mayor Gayle Oberst says form-based building codes is a goal the Beach has been squinting toward for years. The city planning board has taken a couple of stabs at it over time, but "the council has punted," Oberst said. Full Story.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
City building codes get stricter
Council amends codes to meet state requirements
APPLE VALLEY, MN - Beginning June 5, contractors who wish to build in Apple Valley will need to abide by stricter regulations. In a 4-1 vote, the Apple Valley City Council approved an amendment to the city’s building code that requires contractors to have ventilation systems that “provide better indoor air quality,” install a passive radon reduction system, provide a “detailed prescription design” for each type of foundation insulation and post a building certificate on each job site that lists all the components of heating and ventilating systems and their energy ratings. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tighter credit, resale home supply stall local homebuilding
Median home price $166,196 in April
LAS VEGAS, NV - Southern Nevada's housing market has been battered. Rising unemployment, unavailable credit, and a deepening recession have curtailed new single-family detached home sales in the Las Vegas Valley. The industry's biggest competitor is now the resale market, where much of the inventory is bank-owned. Clark County had 65.6 percent more existing-home sales than new-home sales in 2008, reports Home Builders Research Inc., a Las Vegas-Based residential market analyst. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
April construction spending rises
Total U.S. construction spending rose 0.8 percent in April, the biggest one-month increase since August 2008, and was led by a jump in both private and residential construction. A Bloomberg survey of 45 economists had projected a median drop of 1.5 percent. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Beach facing unique development challenges
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - Planning consultant Michael Laur says Front Beach Road will face a series of daunting development challenges as the Beach moves into the future. Laur, whose team of urban experts is helping the city update its building codes, was hard-pressed Tuesday to come up with a situation similar to the recent explosion of Beach condo growth. Full Story.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tenn. energy efficiency proposal passes Senate
NASHVILLE, TN - A proposal to make Tennessee's state buildings and homes more energy efficient has passed the Senate. The administration bill carried by Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis was approved 28-1 on Tuesday. The measure includes a provision to create a minimum building code around the state. Full Story.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Broad Opposition to Sprinkler Requirement in New Homes
KALISPELL, MT - By July, Montana homebuilders should know if they have to abide by a proposed building code that would require them to install sprinkler systems in new homes. Judging by a meeting at Kalispell City Hall on May 21, it’s clear builders don’t want the regulation – at least not until they have time to prepare for it. They unanimously cited additional costs as the foremost reason. Full Story.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Gov. Rick gets county building-codes bill
AUSTIN, TX - El Paso County and all but one other county in Texas would have the option to enforce building codes in unincorporated areas under a bill the House and Senate approved Sunday and sent to Gov. Rick Perry's desk. The bill initially would have applied only to El Paso County. But after lawmakers decided to abolish the Texas Residential Construction Commission, which is currently responsible for overseeing construction in most rural areas, state Rep. Marisa Marquez and state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, both of El Paso, expanded the bill. Under the measure, counties could require builders to use third-party inspectors to verify that structures are built appropriately. Full Story.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Report: Senior housing declines
Construction expected to drop by half
FLORIDA - The National Association of Home Builders reported last month that about 126,000 homes will be built this year for buyers aged 55 and older, down from about 249,000 last year. Construction for that age group is projected to increase by about 50,000 homes next year. Full Story.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Home builders group backs fee moratorium
PHOENIX, AZ - Arizona’s home building industry is backing a bill to place a moratorium on new building code rules and development impact fees and would require voters to approve any increases to construction sales taxes. Senate Bill 1035 has the support of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, which contends new rules, fees and taxes on the struggling real estate and construction industry would further weaken Arizona’s fragile economy. Full Story.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Energy Guidelines
BISMARCK, ND - North Dakota's building code hasn`t been updated since 1993. This year, lawmakers passed a bill to update the code to include stricter energy conservation standards. A committee is responsible for coming up with those standards which will take several months to put together, and there are a number of concerns they`ll have to work through before they come up with a final product. Full Story.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
City changes building code
Council tosses ‘obsolete’ rules
BREWTON, AL - Building codes for the city of Brewton have been in a holding pattern since 1997. However, following a presentation by Community Development Director Steve Yuhasz, council members agreed to move to a new set of codes for the city. “We have been using the 1997 edition of the standard building codes from the Southern Building Code Congress International,” Yuhasz told the council. “That is obsolete; it doesn’t even exist anymore.” Full Story.
Monday, May 26, 2009
O.C. homebuilding down 52% from last year
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - There were 108 new building permits for single family homes issued in Orange County in April, down 52% over last April and 5.3 % from March, new construction industry figures show. The first 4 months in the county saw a decrease of 34.7% in single family building permits pulled over the same period in 2008. Full Story.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pulte Homes CEO: We're Beginning to See the Bottom
Six years into his tenure as chief executive of Pulte Homes, 44-year-old Richard Dugas faces the challenge of a lifetime: steering the Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based home builder through the worst housing slump since the Great Depression. In the face of an eroding labor market, tighter mortgage credit, and anemic consumer confidence, Pulte lost more than $500 million in the year's first quarter. But the downtrodden housing market hasn't rattled Dugas's resolve. Full Story.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Custom homebuilder notes subtle changes in clients' interpretations of 'luxury living'
NAPLES, FL - In his years as president of London Bay Homes, Mark Wilson has learned that homebuilding trends develop over a period of time and gradually play themselves out in a manner that changes the market. "It's the buyers who create the trends, not the builders," Mr. Wilson says. And lately, he's noticing things happening on the home front that he believes could define some new trends in custom design. Full Story.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
National Association of Home Builders honors 'Green Makeover Home’ in Durham
DURHAM, NC - Red-B Construction’s renovation of a Durham home has been named the 2009 Green Remodel of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders. The Durham company’s president, Bill Beasley, received the award at the NAHD’s annual National Green Building Conference in Dallas, Texas. Full Story.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Builders oppose home fire-sprinkler requirement
KALISPELL, MT - Area builders lined up Thursday to oppose the adoption of a new building code requiring them to install fire sprinklers in new homes. During a public meeting with state officials, construction industry representatives say the added cost of residential fire sprinklers would make homes more expensive at a time when the housing market already is hurting. Full Story.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Local homebuilders optimistic as national starts hit record low
LINCOLN, NE - Local homebuilders hope they are seeing light at the end of the tunnel after one of the worst periods in the city’s history for housing starts. Nationally, the Commerce Department on Tuesday said construction of new homes and apartments fell 12.8 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 458,000 units — the lowest pace on records going back a half-century. Applications for new building permits dropped 3.3 percent to an annual rate of 494,000, also the lowest on record. Full Story.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Housing market building optimism
LOS ANGELES, CA — Homebuilders are growing more optimistic about the state of housing and say they see signs that the end of the housing market’s three-year downward spiral may be near. The increasingly upbeat mood was reflected in an index of builders’ confidence released Monday, which rose for the second month in a row in May. A separate report by the industry’s trade group showed housing affordability improved in the first three months of this year amid falling home prices and low interest rates. Full Story.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The politics of fire sprinklers
Sprinklers add safety, cost to new homes
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The scars around Amy Acton's neck are a constant reminder of the pain and frustration felt by burn patients. "I've been in burn care for 25 years. I'm a burn survivor myself. I have seen the devastation that happens with home fires." Acton has a new concern, involving a new type of I-beam being used in home construction. Made of composite wood products, they're engineered to be stronger than more traditional I-beams. But there's not as much to them, so they burn much faster, creating deadly smoke, and weakening the path you may cross to escape your burning home. Full Story.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Homebuilder confidence rises
An index measuring confidence among U.S. homebuilders rose for the second straight month in May, according to the National Association of Home Builders. It is the first back-to-back increase in builder confidence since February 2008 and is now at its highest level in eight months. The index measuring current confidence rose two points, from 12 in April to 14 in May. Full Story.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Home building slows
Muskogee residents happy to stay put
MUSKOGEE, OK - Many people in Muskogee are choosing to repair their homes rather than buy a new one. The Muskogee Building Inspectors Department reported that, between July 2008 and April 2009, there were only 17 permits issued for new homes. However, there were 258 issued for home repair. Full Story.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Owners, builder await fee refund ruling
BALTIMORE, MD - Some Anne Arundel County homeowners can expect to share in at least $2.1 million - and perhaps as much as $4.7 million - in homebuilding fee refunds ordered by the state's highest court. But the money is probably not coming soon, as an eight-year legal battle enters its next stage. Full Story.
Saturday, May 16, 2009>
Boulder County to take fresh look at BuildSmart
Some complain that energy-efficiency program costs too much, is unfair to large homes
BOULDER, CO - In the year since Boulder County's green-building rules have gone into effect, new houses haven't gotten much more energy efficient -- they've just loaded on more solar panels. The BuildSmart program requires new houses and remodels in unincorporated areas of the county to achieve a certain "home energy rating." Full Story.
Saturday, May 16, 2009>
Local codes open doors to stimulus
Based on national averages, Alaskans could save somewhere between 10 to 30 percent on their energy bills through energy efficiency building codes. Gov. Palin chose not to accept $28.6 million of federal stimulus money for home weatherization and energy efficiency because of some concerns it requires a statewide building energy code. However, new evidence shows that locally based energy codes would satisfy the federal requirements and relieve Alaska from any onerous obligations. Many of Alaska's most heavily populated cities have already adopted energy codes, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Nome, Petersburg, Palmer, Seward, Valdez and Skagway. Full Story.
Saturday, May 16, 2009>
Residents angered over homebuilders’ decision to replat property
HOUSTON, TX - Several residents of a northwest Houston subdivision are upset after homebuilders decided to replat lots on the property to build houses and sell them for significantly less than other homes in the subdivision. Stablewood Farms subdivision in Cypress is full of homes that cost more than $100,000 and even $200,000, but if KB Homes has its way, the subdivision will also have homes valued at much less. Full Story.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Energy-efficiency building code changes pass Senate
NEWARK, DE - New buildings in Delaware would have to be more energy-efficient under legislation that cleared the Senate on Tuesday. Under Senate Bill 59, building codes would have to be updated to reflect the latest in energy-efficient building standards, a move which Sen. Harris B. McDowell III, D-Wilmington North, said would pay dividends for the state in more ways than one. The bill cleared the Senate on a 19-2 vote and now heads to the House for action. (From Senate Majority Caucus) Full Story.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Mercer County drops proposed building code
PRINCETON, WV - Mercer County commissioners have dropped a proposed countywide commercial building code, following an outcry from businesspeople. The proposed ordinance would have regulated construction, renovation and other changes to commercial property and multifamily units such as apartment buildings. Full Story.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Energy codes stretch savings
Builders see regs as rough design
WORCESTER, MA — With legislative approval this week, cities and towns throughout the state now have the option of enacting strict energy-efficiency building codes that will require new homes and commercial buildings to use less energy. Environmentalists and other proponents say the “Stretch Energy Code” will reduce energy use and lower dependence on fossil fuels, as well as vaulting Massachusetts to the forefront of “green” technology and innovation. Full Story.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Home defect, malpractice bills die as deadline looms
NEVADA - A construction defect bill sought by Nevada’s powerful but struggling construction industry and a measure to loosen caps on medical malpractice awards have died in key legislative committees. The measures were among dozens of proposals not expected to survive today’s deadline for Assembly-approved bills to be advanced by Senate panels and Senate-endorsed measures to be advanced by Assembly committees. Full Story.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Va. environmentalists want energy-efficient homes
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - An environmental group wants Virginia officials to require new homes to be more energy efficient. Environment Virginia says a building code revision by the state Department of Housing and Community Development would increase energy efficiency in homes by 15 percent. The group wants the state to adopt the International Energy Conservation Council's model code. Full Story.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The city, site of a deadly F3 twister last year, may adjust its building code to suggest safe rooms in new houses.
HUGO, MN - A fatal tornado. Nearly 400 houses damaged or destroyed. A new storm season. Human worry. That's why city officials in Hugo are considering changes in the city's building code to remind residents that they might want to include interior storm shelters, known as safe rooms, in new home construction. Full Story.
Next Page --->
|
|
|
|
